System and method for efficient use of network bandwidth

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for optimizing the use of network bandwidth by a mobile device. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a mobile application client. The mobile application client may log information regarding content requests to a content log and may log network connection statuses for the mobile device. The system may analyze content consumption of a user of the mobile device based on the content log and may create a user profile. The system may also compile a prefetching schedule based on the user profile and the prefetching schedule may be provided to the mobile device. The mobile device may prefetch content at least partially in accordance with the prefetching schedule.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 obtaining a content log for a mobile device; 
 determining a first network connection status of the mobile device at a first time; 
 determining a second network connection status of the mobile device at a second time, the second time different from the first time; 
 generating, based on the content log, the first time, and the second time, content consumption data for a user of the mobile device; 
 generating, based on the content consumption data, a prefetching schedule of content anticipated to be requested; and 
 obtaining content in accordance with the prefetching schedule, wherein the content is obtained prior to a request for the content. 
 
     
     
       2. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the content log comprises an application identifier, a logging time, and a content parameter for content requests. 
     
     
       3. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the content consumption data comprises at least a portion of the content log, the first network connection status, and the second network connection status. 
     
     
       4. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting the content to the mobile device. 
     
     
       5. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the content is obtained from a third-party server associated with a social networking site; and 
 the content comprises user-generated posts on the social networking site. 
 
     
     
       6. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 obtaining prefetching parameters indicating preferences for obtaining content; and 
 generating the prefetching schedule based on the content consumption of the user and the prefetching parameters. 
 
     
     
       7. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the prefetching schedule comprises a priority for each item in the prefetching schedule and a specific condition under which each item in the prefetching schedule is to be obtained. 
     
     
       8. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the content is obtained based on a current network connection status of the mobile device. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus, comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a memory in communication with the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to:
 obtain a content log for a mobile device; 
 determine a first network connection status of the mobile device at a first time; 
 determine a second network connection status of the mobile device at a second time, the second time different from the first time; 
 generate, based on the content log, the first time, and the second time, content consumption data for a user of the mobile device; 
 generate, based on the content consumption data, a prefetching schedule of content anticipated to be requested; and 
 obtain content in accordance with the prefetching schedule, wherein the content is obtained prior to a request for the content. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the content log comprises an application identifier, a logging time, and a content parameter for content requests. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the content consumption data comprises at least a portion of the content log, the first network connection status, and the second network connection status. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the apparatus to transmit the content to the mobile device. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the content is obtained from a third-party server associated with a social networking site; and 
 the content comprises user-generated posts on the social networking site. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the apparatus to:
 obtain prefetching parameters indicating preferences for obtaining content; and 
 generate the prefetching schedule based on the content consumption of the user and the prefetching parameters. 
 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the prefetching schedule comprises a priority for each item in the prefetching schedule and a specific condition under which each item in the prefetching schedule is to be obtained. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the content is obtained based on a current network connection status of the mobile device. 
     
     
       17. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform steps comprising:
 obtaining a content log for a mobile device; 
 determining a first network connection status of the mobile device at a first time; 
 determining a second network connection status of the mobile device at a second time, the second time different from the first time; 
 generating, based on the content log, the first time, and the second time, content consumption data for a user of the mobile device; 
 generating, based on the content consumption data, a prefetching schedule of content anticipated to be requested; and 
 obtaining content in accordance with the prefetching schedule, wherein the content is obtained prior to a request for the content. 
 
     
     
       18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the content log comprises an application identifier, a logging time, and a content parameter for content requests. 
     
     
       19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the content consumption data comprises at least a portion of the content log, the first network connection status, and the second network connection status. 
     
     
       20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the prefetching schedule comprises a priority for each item in the prefetching schedule and a specific condition under which each item in the prefetching schedule is to be obtained.